Stove adapter for lantern

Abstract

A stove adapter for attachment to and use with a camping lantern includes a substantially cylindrical base member having an upper cooking surface and a plurality of extension arms pivotally attached to the base member. When opened radially outwardly, the extension arms provide an enlarged cooking surface for supporting, for example, a large skillet. When retracted inwardly, the bail of the lantern swings overhead to carry the lantern and the attached stove adapter. When opened, a first portion of each extension arm extends downwardly and engages the side of the cylindrical base member to support the arm in the plane of the cooking surface. When closed, the first portion extends upwardly to provide a stop for retaining cookware on the stove adapter. An over center spring collar is also provided to maintain the extension arms in both the open and closed positions and to retain the cookware on the cooking surface when the arms are retracted.

I claim: 
     
       1. A stove adapter for attachment to a camping fuel lantern including a bail, comprising: a substantially cylindrical base member including an upper cooking surface;   means for attaching said base member to the lantern; and   a plurality of substantially S-shaped extension arms pivotally connected to said base member; said arms extending outwardly from said base member when extended to assume an open position to enlarge said cooking surface; said arms pivoting inwardly to overlie said upper cooking surface of said base member to assume a retracted position to allow the bail to swing overhead for carrying the combined lantern and stove apparatus; and   wherein each of said S-shaped extension arms comprises three portions; the first portion adjacent the pivotal connection of said extension arm to said cylindrical base member extending upwardly substantially perpendicular to said cooking surface when said extension arm is in said retracted position so as to provide an inner stop for maintaining cookware on the stove apparatus, said first portion extending downwardly substantially perpendicular to said cooking surface when said extension arms are in the open position so as to engage the cylindrical base member in a longitudinal direction and support said arms; the second portion overlying said cooking surface when in the retracted position and extending radially outwardly from said base member in the same plane as said cooking surface when in the open position so as to provide an enlarged cooking surface; and the third portion connecting to said second portion at an end opposite said first portion and extending upwardly when said extension arm is in the open position so as to provide an outer stop for maintaining cookware on the stove adapter.   
     
     
       2. The stove adapter of claim 1, further including resilient means, said resilient means being received in an opening in said first portion of each extension arm opposite the pivotal connection of said extension arm to said base member. 
     
     
       3. The stove adapter of claim 2, wherein said resilient means comprises an over center spring collar for positively maintaining the extension arms in both the open and retracted positions and retaining cookware on the cooking surface when in the retracted position. 
     
     
       4. The stove adapter of claim 1, wherein said cooking surface includes a central recess portion substantially frusto-conical in shape, said recess portion receiving said third portion of said extension arms when said arms are in the retracted position. 
     
     
       5. A stove adapter for attachment to a camping fuel lantern including a bail, comprising: a substantially cylindrical base member including an upper cooking surface;   means for attaching said base member to the lantern;   a plurality of extension arms pivotally connected to said base member; said arms extending outwardly from said base member when extended to assume an open position to enlarge said cooking surface; said arms pivoting inwardly to overlie said upper cooking surface of said base member to assume a retracted position to allow the bail to swing overhead for carrying the combined lantern and stove apparatus; and   a means connected to each extension arm for maintaining said arms alternatively in the open and retracted positions and for retaining cookware on the cooking surface when in the retracted position.   
     
     
       6. The stove adapter of claim 5, wherein said maintaining and retaining means is resilient. 
     
     
       7. The stove adapter of claim 6, wherein said resilient maintaining and retaining means is received in an opening in a first portion of each extension arm opposite the pivotal connection of said extension arm to said base member. 
     
     
       8. The stove adapter of claim 7, wherein said resilient maintaining and retaining means comprises an over center spring collar. 
     
     
       9. The stove adapter of claim 5, wherein each extension arm includes a loop portion, said loop portion being received by a pin formed by cooperating slots in said base member, thereby providing the pivotal connection between said extension arm and said base member. 
     
     
       10. The stove adapter of claim 5, wherein each of said extension arms is substantially S-shaped. 
     
     
       11. The stove adapter of claim 5, wherein each said loop portion is a reduced width portion of said extension arm. 
     
     
       12. The stove adapter of Claim 5, wherein said upper cooking surface includes a series of openings and ribs with raised areas on the ribs allowing the passage of heat from the lantern directly to cookware positioned on the stove adapter. 
     
     
       13. The stove adapter of Claim 5, wherein said attaching means includes a central aperture receiving a threaded stem of the lantern. 
     
     
       14. The stove adapter of claim 13 wherein said central aperture is formed in a central recess in said cooking surface.